Credit monitoring during the holiday season isn't just sensible: it's necessary. Why? Because whether it's on Black Friday sales or during the Christmas preparations, people tend to spend more during the holidays, and spend on credit.

You're familiar with the scenario: You buy gifts and go on a shopping spree, both online and in-store, in preparation for the holidays. Or, you might want to book a trip to Hawaii or Paris for a more romantic holiday vacation. No matter how you spend your holidays, you are more prone to use your credit for spending, since it is a convenient transaction tool. But did you know that when you use your credit card, your credit score is at risk for overwhelming debt €" all of which must be paid after the holidays? Furthermore, your credit also becomes at-risk and open to identity thieves.

This is the hard, sound truth. Still, you needn't let your spirits be dampened by the threat of identity theft (or unbridled spending!). You can protect yourself by monitoring your credit scores during the holiday season. Credit score monitoring is something you should do regardless of the season, anyway! The difference in doing this during the holiday season is that you will have some peace of mind. Why? Well, you'll know that your spending is not only within budget, but you also have complete control of your credit.

Credit Monitoring

The holiday season is a time when people can finally take their minds off from work. But even if you're in a holiday mood, it is worth spending some money on your credit score monitoring. This is so that you can receive instant notifications that track any changes in your credit during your holiday break. This will not only alert you in cases of identity theft but it also gives you a way to keep a check on your holiday spending.

Beware of Phishing

You might be planning to spend your holiday on a fishing trip to relax and simply enjoy the sun and the ocean. Just don't spend your holiday being victimized by a phishing scam. Phishing is a technique used by identity thieves to steal your personal information by asking you to enter your identification details such as your name, Social Security number, and credit card number. They might pose as a charitable organization asking you to donate in line with the holiday's spirit of giving. Thus, always monitor your credit during the holidays for suspicious activities that might indicate that someone has used your credit.

Out-of-town Shopping

Holiday vacations outside of home are not complete without buying souvenir items. However, your credit may be put at risk when you go shopping in local shops you're not familiar with. Make sure your wallet is safe in your pocket. Also, you should be mindful of the cashier and other people around you when making a transaction. A way for an identity thief to steal your information is by taking a picture of your credit card or writing down the information.

Credit monitoring while holidaying, is critical because this is a time when you use your credit more often than usual. Monitoring your credit scores during the holiday will not only tell you if identity theft has occurred due to your busyness, it also helps take control of your holiday spending.